HISTORY

On October 14, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy stated, "We are at the beginning of an era when the inroads of poverty, hunger and disease will be lessened and when men and women everywhere will have it within their power to develop their potential capacities to the maximum."

Then in 1961, President Kennedy urged every state to create a "Governor's Commission of the Status of Women." These state commissions focused on two issues: To encourage women to use their abilities; and to reduce discrimination against women.

In 1964, Vermont Governor Philip Hoff established, by an Executive Order, the Governor's Commission on Women. Governor Hoff requested that the Commission conduct research on "how discrimination was occurring, how women's roles were changing, documenting the needs of working women and their children, and supporting a more active role of women is the political life of the state."

COMPOSITION

The Commission is made up of sixteen volunteer Commissioners who are appointed by the Governor and an Advisory Council representing approximately 30 different women's organizations. The Advisory Council members act as a resource and liaison between the organizations they represent and the Commission. The staff consists of three full-time employees and two part-time employees. The Commission also has many dedicated volunteers.

The Commissioners and Advisory Council Members participate on working committees and task forces. The committees are: Economic Issues Committee; Grants Committee, Legislative Committee; and Organizational Committee. The Committees meet on average eight times a fiscal year and the average membership of each committee is eight members.

VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS

It is important to note that all the Commissioners and Advisory Council Members volunteer their time and expertise to the Commission. Because of our small staff, the Commission relies heavily on volunteers and interns. During fiscal year 1996, the Commission had 16 volunteer Commissioners, 35 volunteer Advisory Council Members, 6 volunteer committees and task forces and 6 office volunteers.

The Commission had six dedicated office volunteers and interns during this fiscal year. Office volunteers were: Anna Bloom, Seymour Bloom, Brenda Bisbee, and Susan Russell. The volunteers helped us with many tasks, such as: answering telephones, helping with mailings, working on special events, doing computer work, research work and illustrations for our publications. The interns during this fiscal year were Katina Francis and Kim Lanier. The interns provided legal research and analysis.


Return to Vermont Governor's Commission on Women home page